u/Actual-Clerk6577

There is clear recession on my lower front tooth. I am wondering if there is recession along my front 2 top teeth or if it’s staining?? The bottom was thought to be because of a high frenum and clenching in my sleep. I had a root planing and scaling done last June with cleanings every 4-5 months since. They have not mentioned if it’s improving or not at any of these appointments. I do smoked MJ daily and I know plenty of people who have smoked cigarettes their whole life and still have their teeth, I’m just paranoid I’m not doing enough to combat the negative oral health effects. I feel like my gums look healthy and there is never any bleeding when brushing/flossing/water picking but there wasn’t any when they said I had gingivitis either.

Hello! I (25F) have an area of recession that I believe I am more concerned about than my dentist. In order to understand how I got here, I feel that I need to layout my dental work over the years. 1st photo: today 2nd: after 1st gum graft 3rd: after 2nd gum graft

child and adult premolars surgically removed 12 yo

Bottom Canines pulled up with chains on braces 15yo

Braces 15-18yo then permanent bottom retainer

Wisdom teeth 18yo

1st gum graft Jan 2023

2nd gum graft feb 2024

I first noticed the recession late in 2022 while I was actively smoking MJ and vaping. During my first graft, it was my own tissue but I was still actively vaping. It did not take and we waited a year to try again. The 2nd graft was a donor tissue and it also did not take (was not vaping for several months before and after).

I was told by surgeon there could be numerous reasons why I had the recession to begin with: my teeth grinding at night, my permanent retainer and lack of flossing due to it, my frenum was too high (clipped during first surgery), the previous trauma made the area too hard to heal and I swell significantly more than other patients (why it wouldn’t take).

Last summer, I switched dentists and they performed a root planing and scaling to address my gum disease which had never been mentioned by my previous dentist or surgeon. Since then, I have been MUCH better about flossing and using my water pick but I am still concerned that my recession will continue as I have had some very slight sensitivity and minor dull pain in the area recently. I do still smoke MJ and an occasional drunk ciggie as I wanto enjoy life but not lose my teeth by 40. Should my dentist be more concerned or am I just paranoid?? I have a cleaning in June so I plan to discuss this with them again then!